Door seal



United States Patent O 3,114,946 DOOR SEAL Ronald O. Fluck, 3 Mile Run Road, M.R. 1, Perkasie, Pa. Filed Mar. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 96,420 11 Claims. (Cl. 20-69) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in seals or weatherstrips particularly, although by no means necessarily, for doors and has for a prmary ob ect to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel character which is adapted to be expeditiously installed for use on conventional doors, both new and old, without the necessity of making material structural alterations therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide a door seal of the character set forth which is adapted to function as a drip cap whereby water dropping therefrom will be caused to flow down the threshold on the outside.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an adjustable door seal or weatherstrip which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 'efer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, showing a door seal embodying the present invention installed;

FIGURE 2 is an erlarged view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged View in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a view in transverse section, showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of said drawing comprises an inverted channel bar or member of suitable material, preferably aluminum, which is designated generally by reference numeral 5. The channel member 5 includes a bght portion or web 6 having forned integrally therewith depending side fianges or legs 7 and 8. The channel member 5 is adapted to be Secured on the lower edge of a conventional door 9. Toward this end, the bight portion 6 of the channel member 5 is apertured, as indicated at 16, to accommodate countersunk screws 11. The channel member 5 further includes integral, upstanding longitudinal side flanges 12 which receive the lower portion of the door 9 therebetween.

The fl-ange 8 is relatively thick and the lower, inner portion thereof is rabbeted, as indicated a-t 13. Formed longitudinally in the flange 8 is a downwardly opening, generally T-shaped groove 14 which commu nicates with the rabbet 13. At longitudinally spaced points, the flanges 7 and 8 of the channel member 5 have formed therein transversely aligned openings 15 and 16, respectively. Adjusting bolts 17 are journ aled in the openings 15 and 16. The bolts 17 comprise kerfed heads 18 which are countersunk in the flange 8 and which are adapted to receive the bit of 'a screwdrver. The other ends of the bolts 17 are headed, -as indicated 'at 19, and washers 20 `are provided between -the heads 19` and the flange 7. Threadedly mounted on the bolt 17 for lateral adjustment in the channel member 5 is a bar 21. The bar 21 has formed longitudinally .therein a downwardly opening, generally T-shaped groove 22 which is similar to the groove 14. Mounted on the flange 8 and bar 21 is a downwardly transversely bowed flexible, resilient or elastomeric seal-ing strip 23 of vinyl plastic or other suitable material. The scaling strip 2-3 comprises on its longitudinal edges generally T-shaped -beads or heads 24 which are engaged in the grooves 14 and 22. The sealing strip 23 is engageable with a conventional threshold 25 beneath the door 9.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily app arent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the lower end of the door cut, if necessary, to the desired length, -the device is Secured as a unit thereon through the medium of the screws 11.

'The bolts 17 are then turned for shifting the bar 21 toward or away from the flange 8. Thus, the radius or bulge of the sealing strip 23 is adjusted in an obvious manner for causing said strip to properly contact the threshold 25 with the door 9 in a closed position. With the scaling strip 23 properly adjusted a perfect seal is ensured with no binding when opening or closing the door. Also, the scaling strip may be readily adjusted to compensate for irregularities flowing from door sag, wood contraction, hinge wear and other causes. The device is also adapted -to serve as a drip cap, the lower edges of the flanges 7 and 8 being firee and unobstructed. While the unit is, as stated, primarily intended for use on the lower edge of a door it may, of course, be installed in any other location for which it may be found adapted and desirable. For example, the device could be mounted on the hnged edge of a door or on the free end of one of a pair of swinging doors.

In the modification of BIGURE 4 of the drawing, reference numeral 26 designates generally an inverted channel bar or member which is Secured by screws 27 on the lower edge 'of a door 28. The channel member 26 is slightly narrower than the channel member 5. Hence, the range of adjustment of the scaling strip 29 is somewhat reduced. Also, the channel member 26 lacks the side anges 12 of the member 5. This permits the embodiment of FIGURE 4 of the drawing to be readily installed on doors of various .thicknesses. In other respects the modification is similar in construction and operation to the embodiment of FIGURE 3 of the drawing.

The foregoirg is considered as illustrative only of the princples of the invention. Further, since numerous modificatiors and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not 'desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, :and accordingly -all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is 'as follows:

1. A closure scaling assembly comprising a closure and a frame having a closure opening and including a part toward which said closure moves dur-ing the covering and uncoverng of said closure opening by said closure, said closure having one edge provided with side walls at the front and rea-r faces of the closure defining a chamber opening a t the edge of the closure and toward said part and extending across the length of the closure edges, a -sealing element consisting of a strip of flexible and pliable material extending across the length of the closure edge, said element having a pair of marginal edges extending across the length of the closure edge, means fixedly and stationarily securing one of said marginal edges to said closure within said chamber, movable means in said chamber securing the other of said marginal edges, the width of said element being greater than the distance between said walls whereby said element will be transversely bowed and project downwardly from said chamber against said closure frame part, adjusting means extending through one of said walls to the exterior thereof and secured to said movable means for causing movement of the latter towards and from said fixedly securing means and thereby adjust the element towards and from said closure frame part.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said margnal edges of said element have enlarged beads, said beads being seated in and Secured to complementary channels on said fixedly securing means and said movable means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes members extending from one wall towards the other, slide means guidingly and slidably received on said members.

4. A closure scaling assembly comprising a closure and a closure opening frame including a part toward which said closure moves, said closure having one edge provided with side walls at the front and rear faces of the closure defining a chamber opening at the edge of the closure and toward said part and extending across the length of the closure edges, a scaling element consisting of a strip of flexible :and pliable material extending across the length of the closure edge, said element having a pair of marginal edges extending across the length of the closure edge, means fixedly and stationarily securing one of said marginal edges to said closure within said chamber, movable means in said chamber securing the other of said marginal edges, the width of said element being greater than the distance between said walls thereby said element will be transversely bowed and project downwardly from said chamber against said closure frame part, adjusting means Secured to said movable means for causing movement of the latter toward and from said fixedly securing means and thereby adjust the element toward and from said closure frame part, said movable means comprising a bar extending longitudinally within said chamber, said adjusting means comprising members within said chamber and extending transversely of said walls, said bar being movably mounted upon said members for guided and actuated movement thereby.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said bar has a channel therein receiving and retaining one of said marginal edges of said element.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said adjusting means comprises screws rotatably journaled in both of said walls and extending across said chamber, said movable means including a member threadedly engaged on and guidingly supported by said screws.

7. The combina tion of claim 4 wherein said adjusting means comprises screws journaled in said walls and having heads exposed on one side of said closure for effecting rotation of said screws from the exterior of said closure.

8. The combination of claim l wherein said adjusting means comprises screws rotatably journaled in both of said walls and extending across said chamber, said movable means including a member threadedly engaged on and guidingly supported by said screws, said marginal edges of said element being disposed within said chamber.

9. The combination of claim` 4 wherein said margnal edges of said element have enlarged heads, said beads being seated in and Secured to complenentary channels on said fixedly securing means and said movable means.

10. The combination of claim 4 wherein said adjusting means includes members extending from one wall toward the other, slide means guidingly and slidably received on said members. i

11. The combination of claim 4 wherein said adjusting means comprses screws rotatably journaled in both of said walls and extending across said chamber, said movable means including a member threadedly engaged on and guidingly supported by said screws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,811,754 Toth Nov. 5, 1957 2,880,477 Kunkel Apr. 7, 1959 2,979,785 Critchfield Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,194 Canada Apr. 26, 1955 

1. A CLOSURE SEALING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLOSURE AND A FRAME HAVING A CLOSURE OPENING AND INCLUDING A PART TOWARD WHICH SAID CLOSURE MOVES DURING THE COVERING AND UNCOVERING OF SAID CLOSURE OPENING BY SAID CLOSURE, SAID CLOSURE HAVING ONE EDGE PROVIDED WITH SIDE WALLS AT THE FRONT AND REAR FACES OF THE CLOSURE DEFINING A CHAMBER OPENING AT THE EDGE OF THE CLOSURE AND TOWARD SAID PART AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE CLOSURE EDGES, A SEALING ELEMENT CONSISTING OF A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE AND PLIABLE MATERIAL EXTENDING ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE CLOSURE EDGE, SAID ELEMENT HAVING A PAIR OF MARGINAL EDGES EXTENDING ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE CLOSURE EDGE, MEANS FIXEDLY AND STATIONARILY SECURING ONE OF SAID MARGINAL EDGES TO SAID CLOSURE WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, MOVABLE MEANS IN SAID CHAMBER SECURING THE OTHER OF SAID MARGINAL EDGES, THE WIDTH OF SAID ELEMENT BEING GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID WALLS WHEREBY SAID ELEMENT WILL BE TRANSVERSELY BOWED AND PROJECT DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID CHAMBER AGAINST SAID CLOSURE FRAME PART, ADJUSTING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH ONE OF SAID WALLS TO THE EXTERIOR THEREOF AND SECURED TO SAID MOVABLE MEANS FOR CAUSING MOVEMENT OF THE LATTER TOWARDS AND FROM SAID FIXEDLY SECURING MEANS AND THEREBY ADJUST THE ELEMENT TOWARDS AND FROM SAID CLOSURE FRAME PART. 